Recording a narrative verdict, Worcestershire assistant coroner David Reid said while not carrying out the blood test was a “serious failing”, it was not a gross failing and he could not record a verdict of neglect.

Callum, who was described was usually a “cheeky chappie” was described as “lethargic and yellow” and regularly off school in the months before his death.

During the five-day hearing, the court was told how Callum had a 23-minute ambulance journey to Worcester hospital the day he died, rather than to the Alexandra Hospital, three minutes away, which stopped admitting children to A&E in 2016.

Dr Andrew Short, the divisional medical director for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed its “deepest condolences” to the family and said despite their “best intentions, the outcome is not what we anticipated.”

Related Articles

Heart attacks and strokes in England are set to surge in the next 20 years as diabetes cases linked to lifestyle increase, a charity has warned. The number of diabetics is projected to rise by one million by 2035, largely driven by more cases of type 2 diabetes and increasing rates of obesity. This could […]

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The horsefly bite can lead to infection Although many of us are enjoying the balmy temperatures of this year’s heatwave, unfortunately for some, biting insects are flourishing too. Calls to the NHS helpline 111 about insect bites are almost double the rate they normally are at this time of […]

Image copyright Getty Images The brain disease Parkinson’s may actually start in the depths of the digestive system, US scientists say. In their study, people whose appendix had been removed were less likely to develop the neurodegenerative disease. And the appendix, long thought of as pointless in the human body, contained the substance that kills […]